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Do the shows have an obligation to step in?

Today had a story this morning on one of the girls from Teen Mom being investigated by the state and possibly losing her child. They have footage of her repeatedly assaulting the baby's father - not just smacking him, but punching with a closed fist, and in front of the child. I remember seeing one of the assaults in previews aired on every channel, so MTV had no problem with taping it or airing it. This is also not the only time a reality show has shown that kind of assault (Real World, Top Chef, Real Housewives, BGC - and a ton of others).

Do the producers of these shows have an obligation to step in and break up a fight and to not air it? If they don't step in, should they be held legally responsible for the assault as well? In some cases, they feed the participants a steady supply of alcohol to make the fights more likely. In this case, if they charge the teen mom, should MTV employees be charged as an accessory?

Morally, yes, Legally, No, because MTV producers are not mandated reporters so therefore they are not breaking any laws. There are only 3 states that require reporting or helping someone in trouble and in all three states, the crime being committed has to be a felony. I do not watch these show, so I have no idea what type of assault they are doing to each other.

I had a friend who worked on the set of "the real world" for many years. They manipulate people into hating each other & encourage any kind of fighting. I'm sure it's the same with any reality TV show. For some reason, people love to watch that stuff. You ask a good question, I'm honestly not sure if they should be charged. If they are to get charged, it would change reality TV, which is no bother to me since i hate it all anyway.

But, is it really their place to step in? If you see an acquaintance fighting with someone, should you step in before it gets too ugly? Or are you going to leave it alone? If you leave it alone, are you also responsible for assault? Does the circumstance make a difference?

I think so. If you were in a room with someone and an argument was getting heated to the point of punched being thrown would you intervene? (not a bar, there are bouncers there for that purpose.) I'd like to think I would and should.

If that is staged to get more viewers, what does that say about people?
The last thing I want to do is watch a bunch of losers,pregnant teens and their stupid boyriends, fighting. A girl who punches a guy with her closed fist is an ignorant loser and should NEVER have had a baby.Well, NONE of those airhead girls should be Moms. I am still amazed that they created this show and put it on TV. Pathetic.
So--since MTV is airing this show, they need to admit they are partly responsible for the crap that happens . Its all disgusting.

Yes, it is absolutely their responsibility to make sure no one gets hurt, and I haven't seen the show you are talking about, but the participants need to understand that their actions are going to be aired on tv and will have consequences.